A German composer of the early 20th century, he is best known for his organ and harmonium works. Karg-Elert was influenced by the music of Schonberg, Scriabin and Debussy in the years from 1910 to 1914. In this sonata, he even makes a direct reference to Scriabin's one-movement piano sonatas. The unusual idea to write a piece for flute alone in this time frame may have been triggered by Debussy's Syrinx. The Sonata Appassionata became the first unacompanied German piece for the flute in the 20th century. Instead of following Debussy's example of a pastoral and mythical setting, Karg-Elert chose to extend the demands for the flute with a multitude of extreme emothional characteristics. With this idea in mind, he changed the typecasting of the flute completely.